UCF's Chris Martin happy about move from tackle to tight end

ORLANDO -- After strong TE Adam Nissley exhausted his eligibility, UCF coach George O'Leary searched for another powerful blocker to fill his shoes.

O'Leary said he prefers tight ends who can be true blockers and occasionally catch passes rather than strong receiving threats who don't block as well.

The UCF coaches ultimately decided to move junior Chris Martin (6-5, 284) from left tackle to the tight end position to help bolster the position.

"Chris is a good athlete," O'Leary said. "… I think we'll know more when we see blocking, when we get pads on and see if he can run the normal routes."

O'Leary said he thinks sophomore Justin Tukes (6-5, 246) and redshirt freshman Kevin Miller (6-4, 251) can still be strong tight ends for the Knights, but he said they could use more time to build up their strength.

Martin said he suspected he might be making the move and tried to prepare for it during the offseason. The coaches did not officially slide him to his new position until he reported for preseason camp last week.

"It's fun," Martin said, who has always been light on his feet despite his imposing size. "I was really glad to find out they were going to move me to tight end because I felt I could really use assets I have as an athlete to help the team."

-- UCF is scheduled to hold its first full-contact preseason practice in pads Sunday. The workout is open to the public and is slated to run from 3:20-5:30 p.m. at the UCF football practice fields.